Fruit picker



Nov. 7, 1939. l M BUsTETTr-R gl-'AAL 2,179,031

- FRUIT PICKER Filed April 25., 1938` 'Maiz Bw ze Zier I 66,yerz'cl:

e' Mgg/Mw@ ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1939 FRUIT PICKER Matt Bustetter and Samuel Dannel Gericke,Y Yakima, Wash.

Application April 25, 1938, .Serial No. 204,207

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a gathering device and more especially to a fruit picker.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein apples or other fruits or the like, particularly those diseased or infested with worms o-r other fruit-destroying pests, can be removed from a tree without necessitating a persons reaching i or climbing the tree for such removal, the device being of novel construction and assures the` picking of the fruit with dispatch and with the least possible exertion on the part of the user of such device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein a mouth piece has removably fitted therewith a sack or bag provided with a detachable bottom and thus the gathered fruit can be readily extracted or released when collected in said bag or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein a growing crop of fruit can be readily thinned without the use of a ladder or other medium and such fruit to be removed can be conveniently and easily acquired.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliab-le and efficient in operation, light in weight thus enabling the ready and easy handling thereof yet strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the in-k vention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of the device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view showing in detail the mouth piece of the device being taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional viewon the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in` at one end thereof a bracketing element II for a tubular or sleeve-like mouth piece I2 preferably made from metal open at opposite ends while one of these ends has an inwardly curled annular lip I3 and the other end being outwardly ared to provide an annular flange I4, respectively.

The mouth piece I2 is provided with an elon` gated slot I5 adjacent to the lip I3 and through which is passed the arm I6 of a curved knife I l.

The arm I3 is provided with a hub terminal I8 releasably fitted upon an operating rod I9 preferably through the medium of a key or set screw 2U. 2l fitting the pole at one side thereof. This rod at its end remote from the knife I'l is provided with a crank handle `22 for manual turning of said rod.

Releasably carried upon the mouth piece l2 andv depending therefrom is a bag 23 provided with a removable bottom piece 24 while the opposite open end of said bag is telescoped ovei` the mouth piece I2 and is held releasably engaged thereon by a retaining element 25 of contractible ringlike form. The rod I9 is acted upon by a coiled tensioning spring 26 suitably tted about said rod and having one end fixed thereto-or to the crank handle 22 and the pole Il), respectively. This spring functions to hold the knife l1 close to or in contact with one side of the mouth piece interiorly thereof so as to not interfere with the gathering of fruit which enters the said mouth piece through the lip end l?. thereof. The knife, when actuated, will sever the stem of the fruit for its removal from a tree or the like.

The releasable bottom 212 of the bag 23 .enables the discharge of contents thereof with dispatch. The bag 23 is removable from the mouth piece I2 for the cleaning thereof or for a replacement bag when the occasion requires.

What is claimed is: A fruit picker comprising a flat-faced pole, a cylindrical body open at opposite ends and ar' ranged parallel with the pole, a bracketing ele-v ment at one end of the pole and supporting ,the cylindrical body extended beyond the pole, a turnablel rod journaled on said pole and having a turning handle remote from said cylindrical body, a knife blade extended within the cylindrical body adjacent to one open end thereof and swingable transversely of said body, a hub terminal on said blade and releasably fitting the said rod, means securingthe hub terminal releasably fitted to the rod, and a spring engaged against one flat The operating rod is journaled in bearings face of the pole and connected with said rod for I, exerting tension on the latter and holding vthe blade normally adjacent to one side of the cylindrical body. l

MATT BUS'I'ETIER. SAMUEL DANNEL GERICKE. 4 

